November launch for Microsoft SMS successor

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 also will be offered as a trial download for prerelease evaluation.

30 August 20075:25 am AEST

Microsoft will start shipping System Center Configuration Manager 2007, its new system-management software, in November.

Previously known as Systems Management Server, the enhanced product is designed to allow companies to more effectively manage upgrades and application changes in dynamic IT infrastructures, according to Microsoft.

The software giant said the product can be used to manage servers, clients and handheld devices across physical, virtual, distributed and mobile systems from a single console and with greater security.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 also is designed to allow companies to manage full-application deployments and update system lifecycles with streamlined, policy-based automation.

The product is optimized for common enterprise platforms, including Windows Vista and the forthcoming Windows Server 2008.